Meet the Blogger: Kate [and her] 10 Favorite Literary Heroines

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For a good long while now, I’ve wanted to introduce you to some of my favorite bloggers in a series of “meet the blogger” type posts. I’ve become friends with some bloggers through various emails or conversations on our blogs, but I never had a good idea to “pitch” to said bloggers (all the really good ones were taken). In spring (2015) I finally went ahead and got in touch with some bloggers, asking if they wanted to put together something they might be comfortable writing – i.e., a topic they wanted to talk about, a random fun and popular book tag.

Because of that, this isn’t a traditional “meet and greet” blogger introduction. Rather, it’s blogging friends putting together something they enjoy, and hopefully because of that it reads like you’d be getting together and having coffee with them. That’s what – in my opinion, makes this such fun. Fortunately even without an organized “this-is-what-I-want” plan, they agreed to the invitation.

Today, we are here to meet one such blogger.  

Today, after many quiet months of zero “meet the blogger” posts, I am thrilled to again (and finally) feature a fellow book blogger. Let’s return to this series that I love so much. (No promises it’s back for good, mind you.)  

Kate (of Parchment Girl) is not only a book blogger, her scribbling’s can also be found as a contributor to Book Riot not to mention, she’s a talented writer. Her blog spotlights everything from classic literature to honest reviews of the entertainment she watches., and a series of advice posts for new (and seasoned!) bloggers. As seems to be the case with far too many of my amazing blogging friends, I don’t remember how I “met” Kate, but however it happened, know this; she’s a fabulous person to chat with.  

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If you’ve not yet met her, swing by and say hello. (After you’ve continued reading her contribution here, of course.) When I asked Kate if she’d like to join my random blogging series (I really should find a better word for this since it’s more of an occasional thing), I felt bad that my lack of coordinating a really good series idea required she come up her own topic and idea. But I shouldn’t have been as Kate emailed me back with a brilliantly well written post. Her topic of choice? Favorite literary heroines!  

Meet the Blogger: Kate [and her] 10 Favorite Literary Heroines

10 Bold, Beautiful, and Brilliant Literary Heroines by Kate  

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There is nothing better in life than a book with a well-written heroine. Luckily, there is no shortage of fearless female characters in the literary world. Here are ten of my favorite.

1. Hermione Granger Hermione is an obvious choice for a list like this. She’s intelligent, brave, and loyal to her friends, even when it means risking her life. She may be a bit of a stickler for the rules, but in a pinch, Hermione’s the sort friend you want by your side.  

2. Lisbeth Salander When I first read The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, I knew Stieg Larsson had created something
special. Lisbeth comes from a terrible background of abuse and neglect, but emerges with an unshakable sense of justice and a genuine depth of caring behind her tough exterior. She’s also pretty fearsome with a laptop in her hands.  

3. Violet Baudelaire The eldest of the Baudelaire siblings on the run from the evil Count Olaf will do anything to protect her younger brother and sister. Furthermore, she’s an inventor and uses her clever creations to save their lives and prevent them from being captured by Olaf on numerous occasions. When Violet ties up her hair, you know things are about to get real.

4. Nancy Drew

Nancy Drew may not have the depth of character that some of the other heroines on this list have, but I’ve always had a soft spot for girl sleuths. [She] leads the ultimate glamorous life–she’s eighteen, has her own convertible, goes on exciting adventures, and seems to have an unending supply of stylish clothing. As envious as Nancy’s lifestyle is, she also has more important qualities like kindness, courtesy, and the brains to outsmart crooks and policemen alike. And let’s not forget the wonderful relationship she
has with her father.

5. Miss Marple On the subject of female sleuths, Miss Marple is one of the most epic sleuths of all time. Seen as a harmless old spinster by most of the people around her, she uses that façade to aid her investigations, and always manages to bring the truth to light.

6. Éowyn Éowyn has been hailed as a feminist icon because of how she stood up to the Witch-king of Angmar with her famous line, “I am no man,” in the Peter Jackson film adaptation, but she’s even more badass in the books. In The Return of the King when Aragorn tells Éowyn to stay behind, she replies, “All your words are but to say: you are a woman, and your part is in the house. But when the men have died in battle and honour, you have leave to be burned in the house, for the men will need it no more. But I am of the House of Eorl and not a serving-woman. I can ride and wield blade, and I do not fear either pain or death.” School him,
Éowyn.

7. Jane Eyre

If I had to name one favorite book of all time, it would be Jane Eyre. The title heroine endures an abusive childhood and yet still has the courage to stand up for herself and her own feelings. Who can forget her famous speech to the broody Rochester just
before their engagement? “Do you think, because I am poor, obscure, plain, and little, I am soulless and heartless? You think wrong! – I Have as much soul as you – and full as much heart!” To top it off, she has the moral fortitude to leave the man she loves when he asks her to live with him in sin. What a woman!

Meet the Blogger: Kate's 10 Favorite Literary Heroines #fromthearchives #MeettheBlogger Share on X

8. Ella of Frell I never much liked the fairy tale story of Cinderella, either the Disney or more gruesome original version, but one of my favorite childhood books is Ella Enchanted. A new spin on the classic tale, the Ella of this story is a feisty heroine who
knows her own mind and refuses to take the abuse of her stepsisters. And she’s not afraid of a few ogres and giants.

9. Lucy Pevensie

Lucy Pevensie may not be strong or logical or conniving like her siblings, but she has imagination, belief in the seemingly impossible, and an unflagging sense of wonder. She is the personification of 1 Corinthians 1:27–“But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.”

10. Anne Shirley Anne Shirley wears her heart on her sleeve, a trait that lands her in hot water sometimes, but is also the source of her power. She’s also bright, loyal, and much tougher than she looks.  

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Hello there and welcome to my e-lair. My name is Kate and I read like the world of Fahrenheit 451 is right around the corner.  Facebook | Twitter | Website  

Thanks for joining this edition of “meet the blogger: Kate”; appreciate you visiting!